Manhattan Romance a La Carte

♥ Philippe by Philippe Chow

This New York celebrity hot spot just celebrated its 10th Anniversary and plans to sweep diners off their feet with an intimate Modern Asian dining experience. Candlelight casts a dim glow over the dining room’s dark wood features and plush banquettes with their signature color palette of black, white and red adding to the romantic ambiance where ladies receive roses. Owner and Executive Chef Philippe Chow puts his own contemporary spin on traditional Beijing-style cuisine. All Philippe signature dishes, including the famed Chicken Satay, perfectly glazed and crispy Peking Duck, Green Prawns, and Filet Mignon and Broccoli, are served in generous portions and family-style, perfect for sharing with your date. In addition to its regular dessert menu, diners may enjoy a special heart-shaped red velvet cake prepared by in-house Pastry Chef Kostas Paterakis.

On Monday, February 8, 2016 the Chinese Lunar Calendar transitions from the Year of the Goat to the Year of the Monkey, and in honor of the occasion these top New York Chinese restaurants are festive celebrations to commemorate the occasion.

China Fun

Upper East Side favorite China Fun will have a special Chinese New Year themed menu running from Wednesday, February 6, 2016 through Sunday, February 21, 2016 in addition to its regular menu filled with unique takes on traditional classics. Specialty dishes on the menu for the occasion include Crispy New Zealand Lamb Chops sautéed with chili peppers and spices; Mango Steak and Braised Pork Belly served with Shanghai baby bok choy in casserole.

Since launching in 1991 by the Wu family, guests can trust in the restaurant’s ability to ensure each meal is great each and every time they dine at China Fun. The unique menu executed by Executive Chef Wing Fong Chen, who has been with the restaurant since its opening, is highlighted by dim sum, soup dumplings, Cantonese BBQ, noodles, wok dishes among other options.

A new year for many means a renewed focus on your goals and aspirations for the next 365 days. From a refresh on etiquette to bettering yourself both inside and out, here are five ways to achieve your New Year’s Resolutions in 2016.

1. Maintaining a Healthy, Balanced Diet at Philippe Chow

Make it a priority in 2016 to follow through with that healthy eating plan you attempted to establish in 2015. New York restaurant Philippe Chow, celebrating its 10th anniversary in January 2016 makes it easy with delicious options that are just as healthy as they are appetizing.

Owner and Executive Chef Philippe Chow, formerly of acclaimed Manhattan restaurant Mr. Chow, puts his own contemporary and upscale spin on traditional Beijing-style cuisine at Philippe. In addition to its signature, hearty Chicken Satay or Peking Duck; Chef Chow’s menu boasts a host of delectable carb conscious, gluten-free options for diners looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle without sacrificing on taste. Options include the Spa Chicken Salad with steamed chicken, mixed greens and sesame/soy vinaigrette; Spinach Salad with plum & lime juice vinaigrette and Lettuce Wraps available with Chicken, Beef, Shrimp or Vegetable. Additionally, all seafood options are available with steamed options and/or a light sauce, such as its Lobster Salad and Maine Lobster. Chef Chow presents complex flavors with a modern flair, bringing freshness and vitality to traditional Chinese cuisine.

The world’s first luxury un-aged Whiskey Manhattan Moonshine hosted a Jazz Night Thursday, January 14, 2016 at Analogue, a cocktail bar in Greenwich Village. Attendees had their choice of delicious Manhattan Moonshine cocktails created by the mixologists at Analogue especially for the event. Along with the cocktails, the night featured live jazz courtesy of the Manhattan Moonshine band, which was by local cabaret legend Marissa Mulder and featured a special performance by the Manhattan Moonshine’s Founder & CEO, William Kehler. Notable attendees of this special jazz night included: Domenico Vacca, Terry George and Margo Manhattan.

Renowned French bistro and wine bar – Artisanal Fromagerie & Bistro– located on Park Avenue in Murray Hill – has launched a brand-new menu created by new Executive Chef John Creger.

With the new menu, Chef Creger, formerly of Le Cirque and Grandisca, keeps the classic French dishes Artisanal is best-known for, but adds his flair by using epicurean ingredients such as black and white truffles, wagyu beef, quail eggs and caviar to enhance them. Further, guests may enjoy new hors d’oeuvres and fondue options, including the new Truffle Fondue, which features Artisanal’s signature three cheese blend with black truffles folded in to the mixture and white truffles shaved on top. Also new to the menu are an array of delicious Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, including its signature five cheese blend, named “Best in New York” by Time Out Magazine. Additionally, diners will enjoy decadent entrees including its 32oz waygu tomahawk ribeye served with asparagus, frites, garlic & thyme with brown butter. Gluten-free diners may also feast on Artisanal’s new Beet Quinoa Burger with arugula, balsamic yogurt and tomato on a poppy seed bun.

Loyal diners at this Park Avenue institution need not worry- traditional menu items that are customer favorites will remain the menu. Artisanal’s well-known Macaroni and Cheese is still on the menu, featuring its classic cheese blend regular diners are familiar with. In addition, the restaurant has its signature lobster bisque served with crème fraiche and a caviar profiterole and the Dover Sole with crushed fingerling potatoes, spinach, fennel and brown butter. As has always been the case, all breads and pastries served at Artisanal are baked in-house including its hamburger buns, baguettes and five types of bread including gluten-free options, all of which are made fresh for every customer.

In addition to the delicious and generous new menu, the restaurant has recruited Master Mixologist Carlos Vasquez to create a beautiful, delicious cocktail program featuring a diverse range of ingredients. From its Five Points cocktail with vodka, green grapes, elderflower liquor, hibiscus elixir, lime and agave to the Artisanal Hemingway with rum, grapefruit, pink peppercorn, aromatic bitters, absinthe, maraschino liquor, lime and agave, there is a cocktail to suit everyone’s palate.

Since acquiring Artisanal Fromagerie & Bistro in late 2014, Owner Sarid Drory has transformed this much beloved favorite into a more upscale destination. Along with the decadent array of ingredients from the new food menu, he also expanded the wine cellar and cheese lists. Artisanal now boasts a sidewalk café seating 65, designed by Adam Tihany, and a chef’s table in a private room named “The Cheese Cave.”

About Artisanal Fromagerie & Bistro

Decorated in Art Deco style by renowned architect Adam Tihany – with classic French bistro tables, timber paneling, brass rails and the smell of freshly baked bread wafting in the air – it feels like you’ve arrived in Paris when you walk in Artisanal Fromagerie Bistro’s door. Owned by restaurateur Sarid Drory, Artisanal showcases upmarket French bistro cooking, boasting 250 cheeses and an extensive wine cellar with 600 bottles and 80 glasses on offer. A mural-sized painting, which hung in French restaurants since the 1930’s, presides over the handsome 160-seat space, and vintage gilt mirrors hang from the walls. In addition, the restaurant boasts a beautiful 65-seat sidewalk café. Artisanal is open daily for breakfast at 6:45am, weekend brunch, lunch, dinner, and late night bites.

Social Life Magazine Publisher Justin Mitchell celebrated the fall season with cover girl philanthropist Jean Shafiroff at the Villagio on the Park on Thursday, October 22nd, 2015. Guests mingled while enjoying cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres in the Italian eatery’s back event space.

The magazine featured cover girl Jean Shafiroff, and spoke with her regarding her philanthropic work as she’s on the board of eight different organizations including The New York Women’s Foundation, NYC Mission Society, Couture Council and French Heritage Society, not to mention all of the other charities she’s lent her support to. She told the publication that her philanthropy started when she volunteered at her daughters’ schools to help with fundraising and once they graduated from college, she decided to devote the majority of her time to supporting the community through philanthropy. Jean has been active with many charities in the Hamptons and has been instrumental in helping Southampton Hospital, Southampton Animal Shelter and the Ellen Hermanson Foundation with their fundraising efforts.

Social Life Magazine is a leading luxury magazine, which covers the hottest happenings in the Hamptons during the peak summer season. Along with covering top events, Social Life gives readers a peak into the lives of the glamorous faces who rule the Hamptons scene.

Villagio on the Park is a refined Italian restaurant that allows al fresco dining with breathtaking views of Central Park. Owned by highly respected restaurateur, Alex Kalas, and business partner Thomas Billante, Villagio on the Park brings together a unique blend of spectacular cuisine, impeccable service and dazzling ambiance. Kalas and Billante have taken New York City’s dining scene to exciting new heights using the space that was once home to Mickey Mantle’s Restaurant & Bar.

About Jean Shafiroff:

Jean Shafiroff is a noted philanthropist who is actively involved as a volunteer fundraiser and leader of several charitable causes. She possesses a remarkable ability to connect different charitable groups with interested people and resources and sits on the board of seven charities. Jean’s particular interests include charities related to women, health care, animals and the people of the cities she calls home, including New York Women’s Foundation, Couture Council, Southampton Hospital, NYC Mission Society, JBFCS, Southampton Animal Shelter, Lighthouse Guild and French Heritage Society. In tandem with her philanthropic responsibilities, Jean has also hosted events in honor of the entertainment industry both in New York and Los Angeles.

About Social Life Magazine:

Social Life Magazine delivers the epitome of luxury from the worlds of fashion, beauty, exclusive society events, weddings and travel. It brings out the opulent elements of society and social adventures of the Hamptons. It captures the spirit and ambience of the area’s most prestigious charity events, polo matches, and galas. From their exclusive feature articles to their innovative portrayals of society events, Social Life keeps their readers in the know of what is elite and luxurious.

After leading the kitchen at Bobby Van’s Steakhouse, Christopher Miller is launching Four Cuts Steakhouse, which will be his first flagship restaurant.

A Brooklyn native, Chef Miller has over 20 years of culinary experience. Upon receiving his culinary degree from the University of Washington, Chef Miller took his first positions at Mortimer’s and Ben Benson’s Steakhouse. After working in those esteemed restaurants, he became the Executive Chef of Bobby Van’s, a position he held for over 13 years where he developed a reputation in New York as the “steak whisperer.”

Four Cuts, named after the four traditional cuts of steak – the ribeye, the strip, the tenderloin and the t-bone – will offer diners traditional steakhouse cuisine in an intimate setting. The operation of the restaurant will be led by its General Manager Rodolphe Siffredi, who most recently worked as a steakhouse consultant for both Desmond’s Steakhouse and Parca Prime Steakhouse.

Four Cuts’ space in the Sutton Place neighborhood, was completely re-designed by C3D Architecture, which set out to create a unique look for the Four Cuts space by combining the sleek look of modern design with rustic elements associated with traditional steakhouses to create an elegant, welcoming dining room. In addition, Marlaina Deppe of Novo Arts is providing a special wall garden, which has been installed on the columns in the main dining room. Franco Lucic of LMF Group designed the walnut wood paneling featured on the restaurant’s walls and on its columns, which accentuate the wall gardens. Along with the wall gardens and wood paneling, there will be custom artworks for guests to admire on the walls of the restaurant.

To sate the thirst of diners, Four Cuts has enlisted the help of Mike Veckovic to construct a special cocktail program. With over 18 years bar and restaurant experience, Mike has previously created cocktail programs for numerous New York institutions including the Hudson Hotel, Morgan Group Hotels, Grace Hotel and for Andre Balazs Properties. Known for his new age spin on classic cocktails, diners will be able to enjoy specialty cocktails such as the Hemingway Daiquiri with Rum, Maraschino, Fresh Lime and Grapefruit or the Sazerac with Rye, Absinthe and Peychaud Bitters. In addition to the cocktail program, Four Cuts will have an extensive wine list with 75 percent of the varietals coming from Napa Valley region in Calfornia to provide a robust compliment to the cuisine.

When guests sit down for dinner, they are able to enjoy a wealth of traditional steakhouse classics from Executive Chef Christopher Miller’s menu. Working side-by-side with Chef Miller will be Sous Chef Joaquin Linares, formerly of Wolfgang’s Steakhouse and Benjamin Steakhouse. Diners may start their meals with Four Cut’s signature Seafood Platter which includes jumbo lump crab meat and shrimp served with cocktail sauce, lemon and mustard. For a main course, guests may enjoy signature steak cuts such as the 28 day aged Prime NY Sirloin Steak. If you are looking for a decadent, romantic meal for two Four Cuts serves a decadent Porterhouse for Two or More served with your choice of sauces including cherry peppers and onions, barolo wine, truffle butter or Chef M’s Signature secret sauce. In addition to steak fare, Chef Miller will be serving his signature “blackboard” specials including Veal Chop with a grilled apple jack gastrique with sautéed wild mushrooms and Red Snapper sautéed with a beurre blac burnoise over a vegetable hash.

Hamptons eatery Osteria Salina has introduced its Sicilian Supper Sunday menu every Sunday from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Known for its Authentic Sicilian fare and its farm-to-table approach, Osteria Salina offers patrons a fresh and delicious family style menu for the set price of $45 per person, $25 for children 18 and under and is complimentary for children under 10, which will include a multi-course meal that can be enjoyed by the entire table.

Restaurateurs Cinzia and Tim Gaglio have prepared an enticing menu which is meant to be shared among loved ones. Guests will have the opportunity to choose between two Antipasti, a choice of two Primi, Insalate, a choice of three Secondi and Contorni for the table. The kitchen lead by Executive Chef Cinzia Gaglio is committed to quality fresh food and uses only the finest local products as they support farmers and fishermen. The menu will also feature signature dishes such as the Insalata Salina, a salad made with mixed baby greens, chickpeas, ricotta salata, tomatoes and cucumbers, the Polpette, a savory dish made with Salina meatballs served with pomodoro sauce and pecorino sicilano and Handmade lasagna with mozzarella, Reggiano parmigiano cheese, hand dipped old fashioned ricotta, with Cinzia’s pomodoro sauce. For dessert, guests will be served a refreshing ice-cold anguria (watermelon) as an invigorating way to end the meal. Reservations are recommended.

About Osteria Salina:

A stunning new location for the established masters of Sicilian cuisine at Osteria Salina. After three years of creating a loyal following and serving authentic Sicilian dishes highlighting the specialties of Salina located in the Aeolian islands, Osteria Salina has moved from 95 School street in Bridgehampton to 108 Wainscott Stone road in Wainscott. The new Osteria Salina has undergone a thorough refurbishment that has restored the grandeur of this iconic location known formerly as Sapore di Mare. Experience the intimate private dining room, La Saletta. Enjoy the Georgica Room with panoramic views of bucolic Georgica Pond. Socialize in the main room against the backdrop of a castle-like fireplace a hand hewn beams. Osteria Salina’s features include a wood burning pizza oven in addition to a classic baby grand piano bar lounge, and will continue its tradition of serving fresh, clean local fare coupled with genuine Sicilian hospitality. Helmed by Executive Chef & Owner Cinzia Gaglio and Host Tim Gaglio, the restaurant can now accommodate private events; guests will enjoy live entertainment in the piano lounge and dine in one of its many old world dining rooms.